Kalamazoo Choral Union Collection
Scope and Contents
According to Willis Dunbar in his book, Kalamazoo and How it Grew and Grew, this Kalamazoo Choral Union began in October, 1916 (there had been two other organizations with the same name). The Union was made up of residents who formed a chorus led by Dr. Harper Maybee from Western State Normal School. Well-known artists were brought to Kalamazoo for performances like Jascha Heifitz and Fritz Kreisler. Every May the Union sponsored the annual May festival, held at the Armory. Typically the Chicago Symphony would perform along with a 300+ member adult choir and a 400+ children’s choir along with individual artists for this two day affair. Part of the program included a performance of a different opera each year. Dunbar states that the Union ended in 1924 but there is no information in either the City Directories or the Coller file that confirm that date.
Dates
- created: 1917-1925
Creator
- Kalamazoo Choral Union (Organization) (Creator, Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions
Extent
0.10 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection is composed of various programs and advertisements from the Kalamazoo Choral Union ranging from 1917 until 1925.
Arrangement Note
Chronological
Physical Description
The collection amounts to .10 cubic feet and contains nineteen assorted programs, booklets and advertisements for the Kalamazoo Choral Union and range in years from 1917 until 1925. They range in size, some are single sheets; some are multi-page booklets. There are six booklets for the annual May Festivals. The programs are in good condition with the exception of a few that are delicate and are torn in some places. The program for Alma Gluck that dates from 1918 has ink that has smeared.
Subject
- Kalamazoo Choral Union (Organization) (Organization)
Topical
- Title
- Kalamazoo Choral Union Collection Finding Aid
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Lynn Houghton
- Date
- 2010-02-03
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490
arch-collect@wmich.edu